Ponca tribe receives $4.8 million for buffalo processing facility

NIOBRARA, Neb. (KCAU) — The Ponce Tribe of Nebraska has received a $4.8 million federal grant to build a buffalo processing facility.

The grant from the United States Department of Agriculture will allow the Ponca Tribe to use the facility to sustainably harvest and distribute meat from its buffalo herd to tribal members located across the country as part of sacred tribal traditions.

According to Courtney Chavez, CEO of Tribal Affairs for the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, grant funds will be used to support construction of the facility on traditional lands in Niobrara, Nebraska. It will be located near the tribe’s buffalo herd.

Construction is expected to begin in fall 2024 and be completed in spring 2025.

It is hoped that the facility will create several jobs for tribal members residing in a rural community and help feed more than 5,800 members nationwide.

“We greatly appreciate the grant from the United States Department of Agriculture to support the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska’s continued work to sustainably harvest buffalo from our herd to feed our tribal members across the country said Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Chairwoman Candace Schmidt. “This grant will help our tribe advance our mission of providing services, support and nutrition to our tribal members, whether or not they live in our tribal service area.

The grant is part of the Native Animal Harvesting and Meat Processing Grant Program. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the prices in Cherokee, North Carolina, at the National Congress of American Indiana (NCAI) 2024 Mid-Year Conference and Marketplace.

Second. Vilsack said, “USDA has worked hand-in-hand with tribal nations to ensure our programs incorporate indigenous knowledge and perspectives. As part of our commitment to tribes, we deliver on our promises and invest in projects that advance food sovereignty and self-determination for tribal nations.

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